Last  night I did a ruthless thing—

I shut off all channel news;

For once I felt I had enough

Of unimpeachable views.

 

And I turned to an older love,

Namely, Test Match Cricket.

Here I was on a more contested,

More honourable wicket.

 

I was served a bonanza

With two Tests running  together;

And a flick of the finger took me

From one delight to the other.

 

On one I saw a tailender

Battling in defence—

Nobler than a politician

Switching sides for insurance.

 

On the other I saw a  spin bowler

Compliment the batter’s skill

In thwarting all the subtleties

Of the bowler’s cunning will.

 

And the commentators spoke no word

That smacked of prejudice,

Unlike anchors on news channels

Who push for that or this.

 

My evening of refusal stood

Me in truly good stead;

Decades after I left the field,

I went happily to bed.

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